Home appliance assembly

ABSTRACT

A home applicant assembly enables an outer case to be easily and economically assembled, using just one coupling method for joining cabinet panels of the outer case when coupling a top plate to a side cabinet panel and a top bracket. The home appliance assembly includes a first flange of a side cabinet panel, the first flange provided with at least one locking hole; a protrusion integrally formed with the at least one locking hole of the first flange and extending from the first flange; a top bracket, disposed atop the first flange, for reinforcing the first flange, the top bracket provided with at least one through hole opposing the at least one locking hole of the first flange; a holder, to be loaded above the top bracket, the holder having a screw passage; a locking device for passing through the screw passage of the holder and the through hole of the top bracket, to be secured in the at least one locking hole of the first flange; and a top plate to be joined with the side cabinet panel, the top plate having a coupling recess for receiving the holder.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. P2003-084562, filed on Nov. 26, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to home appliances, and more particularly, to home appliance assembly in which a top plate is assembled to a side cabinet panel and top bracket without employing a TOX round joint.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally speaking, a home appliance comprises a plurality of outer panels forming a case for housing the inner workings of the appliance, and the outer panels are provided in pieces to facilitate manufacturing and repair stages. For logistical and aesthetic reasons, the outer panels are typically provided as large panels formed of sheet metal joined at the edges. In joining these panels, structural strength and integrity and ease of assembly should be considered.

As an exemplar home appliance, FIG. 1 illustrates a dryer in which an outer case 100 includes a front cabinet panel 140, a pair of side cabinet panels 110, and a back cover 120, establishing the side surfaces of the home appliance, and a top plate 130 to be attached thereto. In this case, a control panel piece 150, on which an operational unit of the home appliance is loaded, is provided above the front cabinet panel 140 in front of the top plate 130, and the front cabinet panel is provided with a door 142.

A first flange 112 bent approximately at a right angle is formed along upper edges of each side cabinet panel 110. A top bracket 160 is coupled to the top surface of the first flange 112, and a holder 170 having a stepped lower part (see FIG. 2) is provided on the top surface of the top bracket 160. A second flange 132, formed to meet corresponding surfaces of the first flange 112 through multiple bends to achieve a channel shape, is provided to the side edges of the top plate 130. A guide 134, a coupling recess 136 communicating with the guide at an open forward end, and a hanging part 138 provided on the inner side of the coupling recess 136 are formed in the second flange 132. After having been loaded on an upper surface of the top bracket 160, the top plate 130 is pushed forward so that the holder 170 coupled to the top bracket 160 is led by the guide 134 to be inserted in the coupling recess 136 and held in place by the holder's stepped lower part catching on the rim of the coupling recess 136 and the hanging part 138.

The coupling of the first flange 112 and top bracket 160 is achieved by a metal joining technique, known as the TOX round joint, performed at a plurality of locations along the top bracket 160. In such a joining process, a pair of plates are overlapped, a press is disposed at one side of the overlapped portion, with a concaved die correspondingly positioned on the opposite side, and the plates are combined by a pressing action, which creates a recessed portion 180.

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembly of the first flange, the top bracket, and one of the holders of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the holder 170 is fixed to the top surface of the top bracket 160 at a plurality of locations by a screw 190. The screw 190 is passed through the holder 170 to be secured in a locking hole 162, which is formed in the top bracket 160 and threaded to receive the screw 190, and the holder 170 is fixed between the screw head and the top bracket 160. A coupling hole 114 corresponding to the locking hole 162 is formed in the first flange 112. A protrusion 164 formed at the rim of the locking hole 162 is inserted in the coupling hole 114. The holder 170 is disposed above the locking hole 162, and a screw passage 172 is formed within the holder 170 to receive the screw 190. The screw 190 is passed through the screw passage 172 and secured in the locking hole 162 inside the coupling hole 114.

Since a TOX round joint is employed for joining the first flange 112 and the top bracket 160 and the holder 170 is fixed the top bracket 160 via the screw 190, different coupling methods are necessary for the assembly of the holder 170, top bracket 160, and first flange 112. An assembly process requiring multiple coupling methods, however, tends to encumber manufacturing, since special equipment for the TOX round joint is required in addition to ordinary coupling tools such as a screwdriver. Moreover, in a contemporary home appliance as described above, it is difficult to align the various panel holes for screw coupling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a home appliance assembly that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention, which has been devised to solve the foregoing problem, lies in providing a home appliance assembly, by which an outer case can be easily and economically assembled.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from a practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the subject matter particularly pointed out in the specification and claims hereof as well as in the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages in accordance with the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a home appliance assembly includes a first flange of a side cabinet panel, the first flange provided with at least one locking hole, a protrusion integrally formed with the at least one locking hole of the first flange and extending from the first flange, a top bracket, disposed atop the first flange, for reinforcing the first flange, the top bracket provided with at least one through hole opposing the at least one locking hole of the first flange, a holder, to be loaded above the top bracket, the holder having a screw passage, and locking means for passing through the screw passage of the holder and the through hole of the top bracket, to be secured in the at least one locking hole of the first flange.

Preferably, the side cabinet panel is part of an outer case of a dryer.

In another aspect of the present invention, a dryer includes a flange of a side cabinet, said flange provided with a plurality of locking holes, a protrusion, integrally formed with said flange and extending from said flange, a bracket, disposed atop said flange, for reinforcing said flange, said bracket provided with a plurality of through holes corresponding to the locking holes of said flange, a holder, to be loaded above said bracket, said holder having a screw passage, and locking means for passing through the screw passage of said holder and the through holes of said bracket, to be secured in the locking holes of said flange.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing explanation and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and illustrative and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective breakaway diagram of a general dryer's exterior;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of an assembly of a top plate to a side cabinet panel of a contemporary home appliance;

FIG. 3 is a perspective breakaway diagram of a home appliance adopting the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of a top bracket assembly in a home appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of a top bracket assembly in a home appliance according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, like elements are indicated using the same or similar reference designations where possible.

The present invention may be applied to any home appliance having joined cabinet panels. In the accompanying drawings, a drum-type dryer is shown for illustrative purposes only.

Referring to FIG. 3, illustrating an assembly of a top plate and side cabinet in a home appliance adopting the present invention, the home appliance includes a front cabinet panel 240, a pair of side cabinet panels 210, and a back cover 220, establishing the side surfaces of the home appliance adopting the present invention, and a top plate 230 to be attached thereto. In this case, a control panel piece 250, on which an operational unit of the home appliance is loaded, is provided above the front cabinet panel 240 in front of the top plate 230, and the front cabinet panel 240 is provided with a door 242.

A first flange 212 bent approximately at a right angle is formed along an upper edge of each side cabinet panel 210, and a plurality of locking holes 214 are formed in the first flange 212 at predetermined intervals along its length. A top bracket 260 is coupled to the top surface of the first flange 212, and a plurality of holders 270, each having a stepped lower part, are provided at predetermined intervals along a length direction of the first flange 212. The holders 270 are fixed to the top surface of the top bracket 260 by a plurality of screws 290, each of which pass through a holder 270 and a through hole 262 formed in the top bracket 260. A second flange 232, formed to meet corresponding surfaces of the first flange 212 through multiple bends to achieve a channel shape, is provided to the side edges of the top plate 230. A guide 234, a coupling recess 236 communicating with the guide at an open forward end, and a hanging part 238 provided on the inner side of the coupling recess 236 are formed in the second flange 232.

In assembling the top plate 230 to the top edges of the side cabinet panels 210, the top plate 230 is loaded on an upper surface of the top bracket 260 and pushed forward so that each holder 270 coupled to the top bracket 260 is led by the corresponding guide 234 to be inserted in a coupling recess 236 and held in place by the holder's stepped lower part catching on the rim of the coupling recess 236 and a hanging part 238. Thus, the top plate 230 is securely fixed to the side cabinet panels 210, such that the top bracket 260 maintains an interval between the top plate 230 and side cabinet panels 210 and simultaneously reinforces the rigidity of the upper end the assembled side cabinet panels.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top bracket assembly in a home appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here, a threaded locking hole 214 is formed in the first flange 212 to correspond to the through hole 262 formed in the top bracket 260 and to receive the screw 290, and a protrusion 216 extending downward is integrally formed at the rim of the threaded locking hole 214. The top bracket 260, which has a mounting surface portion and a perpendicularly bent portion to reinforce its rigidity, is situated atop the first flange 212, such that the mounting surface portion is loaded on the top surface of the first flange 212 and the perpendicularly bent portion abuts the edge of the top surface of the first flange 212. When positioned thus, the locking holes 214 may be self-aligned with the through holes 262 along the width of the first flange 212, so that during assembly, a lengthwise alignment of the holes may be achieved by sliding the top bracket 260 atop the first flange 212.

With the hole alignment achieved as above, a holder 270, having a screw passage 272 is formed therein, is loaded above the corresponding through hole 262 formed in the top bracket 260, and a screw 290 is inserted into the screw passage 272, passing through the through hole 262 to be secured in the threaded locking hole 214, so that the holder 270 is fixed between the screw head and the top bracket 260. Thus, the top bracket 260 and the holder 270 are secured between the screw 290 and the first flange 212, such that the holder 270, top bracket 260, and first flange 212 are all secured at once.

In the above embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion 216 is provided to extend downward from the bottom surface of the first flange 212. In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, a protrusion extends upward from the flange's upper surface.

Referring to FIG. 5, a first flange 312 on which a top bracket 360 is loaded is formed along a top edge of a side cabinet panel 310, and a plurality of threaded locking holes 314 are formed in the first flange 312, and a corresponding plurality of through holes 362 are formed in the top bracket 360. A protrusion 316 is integrally formed to extend upward from the rim of each locking hole 314. The through holes 362 have an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the protrusions 316, so that the protrusions 316 are respectively inserted in the through holes 362. In this embodiment, alignment is automatically achieved by simply inserting the protrusions 316 in the through holes 362.

As in the case of the first embodiment, a holder 370, having a screw passage 372 is formed therein, is loaded above the corresponding through hole 362 formed in the top bracket 360, and a screw 390 is inserted into the screw passage 372, passing through the through hole 362 to be secured in the threaded locking hole 314, so that the holder 370 is fixed between the screw head and the top bracket 360. Thus, the top bracket 360 and the holder 370 are secured between the screw 390 and the first flange 312, such that the holder 370, top bracket 360, and first flange 312 are all secured at once.

In a home appliance according to the present invention, a coupling of the holder and top bracket to the first flange provided to the side cabinet panel is achieved through an implementation of just one coupling method. Therefore, the present invention simplifies a manufacturing process of products, which enhances productivity. Moreover, there is no need to employ special equipment for achieving a TOX round joint, which enables reduced production costs.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations, provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A home appliance assembly comprising: a first flange of a side cabinet panel, said first flange provided with at least one locking hole; a protrusion integrally formed with the at least one locking hole of said first flange and extending from said first flange; a top bracket, disposed adjacent said first flange, for reinforcing said first flange, said top bracket provided with at least one through hole opposing the at least one locking hole of said first flange; a holder, to be loaded above said top bracket, said holder having a screw passage; and locking means for passing through the screw passage of said holder and the through hole of said top bracket, to be secured in the at least one locking hole of said first flange.
 2. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a top plate to be joined with said side cabinet panel, the top plate having a coupling recess for receiving said holder.
 3. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the holder has a stepped lower part for being received by the coupling recess.
 4. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said top plate comprises a second flange formed to meet said first flange.
 5. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the coupling recess in formed is said second flange.
 6. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the coupling recess communicates with a guide formed lengthwise with respect to said second flange to guide said holder when said top plate is joined to said side cabinet panel.
 7. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said holder is caught in the coupling recess by a hanging part provided on one side of the coupling recess.
 8. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one locking hole of said first flange is threaded to receive said locking means.
 9. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one through hole of said top bracket is aligned with the at least one locking hole of said first flange.
 10. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said top bracket has a perpendicularly bent portion abutting said first flange.
 11. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alignment is achieved by abutting the perpendicularly bent portion of said top bracket against said first flange and adjusting said top bracket lengthwise with respect to said first flange.
 12. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one through hole of said top bracket has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of said protrusion.
 13. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the alignment is achieved by inserting said protrusion into the at least one through hole of said top bracket.
 14. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top bracket is disposed above said first flange and said protrusion extends downward from said first flange.
 15. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top bracket is disposed above said first flange and said protrusion extends upward from said first flange.
 16. The home appliance assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side cabinet panel is part of an outer case of a dryer.
 17. A dryer comprising: a flange of a side cabinet, said flange provided with a plurality of locking holes; a protrusion, integrally formed with said flange and extending from said flange; a bracket, disposed atop said flange, for reinforcing said flange, said bracket provided with a plurality of through holes corresponding to the locking holes of said flange; a holder, to be loaded above said bracket, said holder having a screw passage; and locking means for passing through the screw passage of said holder and the through holes of said bracket, to be secured in the locking holes of said flange. 